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Show 1871.] DR. R. O. CUNNINGHAM ON RHEA. 105 The following papers were read :- 1. Notes on some points in the Osteology of Rhea americana and Rhea darwinii. By ROBERT O. CUNNINGHAM, M.D., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. [Received January 2, 1871.] (Plates VI. & VIa.) Three distinct species of American Ostrich (the Rhea americana, R. darwinii, and R. macrorhyncha) are at the present time recognized by ornithologists. The first of these, which, it is almost unnecessary to state, was for a long period the only species of the genus known, appears to possess the widest geographical range, extending, if I am not mistaken, from Bolivia, Paraguay, and South Brazil, at least as far south as the Strait of Magellan*, a space of upwards of thirty degrees. The second was first scientifically described by M r . Gould, in the 'Proceedings' of this Society for 1837, from a specimen procured by M r . Darwin at Port Desire, on the east coast of Patagonia, and probably extends from the Strait of Magellan to the Rio Negro, the boundary-line between Patagonia and the Argentine Republic ; while for our knowledge of the third, the locality of which is, I believe, as yet undetermined, we are indebted to M r . Sclater's finely illustrated article on the Struthious birds living in the Society's gardens, published in the fourth volume of the Society's ' Transactions.' In that valuable contribution to our knowledge of the Struthionidae, its author has briefly pointed out several very well-marked points of distinction between the three species; but concerning these I need not occupy the time of the Society, as they are doubtless well-known to the generality of those who are now present. I may therefore pass on to remark that, in assigning such an extensive range as I have above indicated to the Rhea americana, I am aware that m y views on the subject are in conflict with the expressed opinions of a highly distinguished authority (Mr. Darwin), who fixes the southern boundary of this bird at a little to the south of the Rio Negro, observing that R. darwinii takes its place in Southern Patagonia. I can, however, positively assert that R. americana extends as far south as the Strait of Magellan, inhabiting the same tracts of country as the latter species; for in the course of m y sojourn in the eastern portion of the Strait, I had opportunities of seeing a considerable number of recently killed specimens in the possession of the Patagonian Indians ; and, although I do not recollect having observed any examples of Rhea darwinii in the flesh, I * That a species of Rhea occurs to the south of the Strait, in the large eastern island of Tierra del Fuego, the northern portion of which is almost identical in its climate and physical characters with those of Eastern Patagonia, may be regarded as certain; but whether it be referable to the R. americana or R. darwinii I a m unable to state. |
